Wednesday, March 18, 2020

(Washington, DC) – The District of Columbia Government has modified its operations in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the District Department of Public Works (DPW) have modified several operations, systems and services.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

• All rush hour parking restrictions will be suspended effective Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 a.m.

• Rush hour reversible lanes operations on Connecticut Avenue and 16th Street NW will be suspended effective Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 a.m. Reversible lanes operations on Independence Avenue and Canal Road will continue to operate as normal during the morning and evening rush hours. DDOT will use dynamic message boards to communicate these changes to the traveling public.

• Effective immediately, the DC Circulator is suspending fares on all routes during the declared public health emergency. Additionally, effective Thursday, March 19, the DC Circulator will suspend service on the National Mall Route. Suspension of fares allows passengers to board the bus from all doors in support of social distancing practices recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Passengers who require wheelchair access may still use the front door to board.

The following systems and services will maintain normal operations:

• DC Streetcar will continue to operate its regular schedule.

• Capital Bikeshare will continue regular operations.

• Construction work will continue in the District’s public space.

• Parking meters in the District managed by DDOT are operational and the DC Department of Public Works will continue normal parking enforcement, including at locations where Emergency No Parking signs are posted.

• To protect residents and our employees, we encourage residents to use our online public space permitting service, Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS), to apply for and renew public space permits. Payments can be made through the PayPal portal in TOPS. Please visit ocfo.dc.gov for more information about cash and check payments.

DC Department of Public Works (DPW)

While Trash and recycling collection continues as scheduled, DPW is adjusting or suspending the following services through March 31:

• Residential street sweeping is suspended.

• Residential street sweeping (ticket enforcement) is suspended.

• As noted above, rush hour parking restrictions is suspended; therefore, DPW will not ticket in rush hour between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

• Ticketing for safety violations (e.g., blocking a fire hydrant) continues.

• Ticketing for expired district license plates and inspection stickers is suspended.

• Vehicle booting and towing is suspended.

• Food waste drop-off is suspended at all drop-off sites, including Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, and Eastern Market. Residents who want to compost their food can freeze it until the drop-off sites reopen

For updates on the District’s response to COVID-19, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.